Good question Jeff.
I wouldn’t want to get into an argument with a client, so I’d start by acknowledging their hopelessness, then I’d probably be asking them about how they’ve managed to survive thus far in the face of it.
It’s also crucial that the worker holds on to hope and believes in the possibility of a better future for the client even when the client doesn’t seem to.
This is one of the things that makes SF difficult for many workers – it requires the worker to relentlessly, absolutely believe in their client, whilst communicating that in a pragmatic and sensitive manner. Through this dynamic the client inevitably becomes compelled to wonder what evidence might exist for any hope, and the collaborative search for it steers them towards safety.
More on this here: https://keepcalmandsolutionfocused.com/2018/07/27/a-matter-of-life-or-death/